Politics

Obama: "No one should fear for their safety when they go to pray"

At an Easter prayer breakfast at the White House Monday morning, President Obama denounced the shootings on Sunday that targeted the Jewish community in Overland Park, Kansas.

"Nobody should have to worry about their security when gathering with their fellow believers," Mr. Obama said. "No one should have to fear for their safety when they go to pray... We've got to stand united against this kind of terrible violence which has no place in our society."

Frazier Glenn Cross, a well-known white supremacist and former Ku Klux Klan leader, was charged with the shootings, which occurred at a Jewish community center and Jewish retirement community. Three people were killed.

The violence was "all the more painful," Mr. Obama said, because it occurred as Jews were preparing to celebrate Passover and as Christians were observing Palm Sunday.

Speaking to Christian leaders from across the country, the president then read a brief passage from the copy of "The Joy of the Gospel" that he received from Pope Francis. Mr. Obama said he was inspired by the pope's inclusive words, as well as his "simple yet profound" deeds.